Oil well capping device



Aug. 24, 1954 w. H. DE CAMP OIL WELL CAPPING DEVICE INVENTOR. WILLIAM H. DECAMP Filed July 10, 1952 M, M, W, 3 Jam Patented Aug. 24, 1954 OIL WELL CAPPING DEVICE William H. De Camp, Van Wert, Ohio Application July 10, 1952, Serial No. 298,058

11 Claims.

The present invention relates to a capping device for oil and gas wells, and more particularly to a new and improved capping device having considerably more utility than prior art devices used heretofore.

Included in the many different kinds of oil and gas wells is the gusher which presents an appreciable number of problems and difiiculties which, if circiunvented, would materially reduce what is now considered normal wastage of oil and gas, and absolutely prevent the incalculable losses due to fire. In the drilling of a well, the final stage of drilling may be accompanied by an explosive eruption of oil and conglomerate from the well mouth which, in many cases, erupts with such violence and force that the heat of friction generated between well structures and the erupting fluids ignites the latter. When this occurs, the flow from the mouth of the well will continue to burn until the fire has been extinguished. Included in the fire-fighting techniques is the operation of covering the mouth of the well with a cap which shuts off the flow. As is well known to those skilled in the art, this operation of capping a well is extremely hazardous and time consuming in its accomplishment. Sometimes days and sometimes weeks pass before the capping of a well is completed. During this time, hundreds of barrels of oil are wasted and with present day knowledge that the worlds oil supply is actually exhaustible, this costly wastage both from an economic and conservation standpoint, presents an acute and serious problem.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention, to provide an oil and gas well capping device which may be quickly and reliably operated to shut off the flow of a gushing well, and to thereby prevent any undue amount of wastage.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an oil and gas well capping device which may be operated from a point remote from the well thereby materially reducing the hazards connected with capping a well.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide an oil and gas well capping device which has utility in facilitating constant control of a gushing well, and to provide a mechanism which facilitates the actual construction of that portion of the well which extends above the ground.

Other objects and features of this invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, my invention may be embodied in the forms illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, how

ever, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that specific change may be made in the specific constructions illustrated and described, so long as the scope of the appended claims is not violated. I

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective illustration of an embodiment of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross section of the embodiment of Fig. 1 taken through the valve portion thereof;

Fig. 3 is an axial section of the device of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a part of the construction of the preceding figures.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Fig. 4, the pipe or casing Ill represents that stub portion of the oil well which projects above the ground. The upper end of this casing I0 is threadedly received by a cylindrically shaped core |2,the threaded connection between this pipe Iii and core 12 being constituted by the threaded axial passage I4 extending entirely through the core I 2. An upper casing member or pipe [5 is threaded into the upper end of the core I2, and carries on its upper end a hand valve l9 for controlling the flow. of liquid from the nipple 20. As will be seen more clearly in Fig. 3, the passage I4 is threaded throughout its entire length for a purpose which will be explained more fully hereafter.

A rectangular opening 22 extends transversely through the core [2 and through the passage M. For a purpose which will be explained more fully hereafter, the lateral extent of this opening 22 is equal to the diameter of the passage l4.

With the arrangement thus far described, it is possible to turn the upper pipe H5 downwardly until the lower end I 8 (shown in dotted lines) extends below the opening 22 thereby severing communication between this opening 22 and the passage I 4. The core [2 then becomes a pipe coupling or union joining the two pipe sections l0 and I6 together into a continuous fluid-conducting unit.

A valve housing or reinforcing encasement, generally indicated by the reference numeral 24, snugly surrounds the core [2, and for this purpose is provided with a cylindrical cavity 26 which conforms substantially to the exterior of the core I2.

As is seen more clearly in Figs. 1 and 22, this casing 24 is made in two sections 28 and 30 which are each provided with laterally projecting flanges 32 and 34, respectively, which are secured together by means of fastening members or bolts 36. The opposite ends of this casing Eli are provided with openings 38 and M3, respectively, for receiving therethrough the respective pipe sections H3 and 56. Section 351 of the casing is provided with a notch t2 in its inner surface for receiving the end of a valve plunger M which is reciprocably received within the opening 22 and another opening 16 extending transversely through the wall of casing section at. As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, plunger 44 completely severs communication between the lower and upper ends of the passage M. This plunger M is so arranged that it may be retracted from its illustrated position to allow free communication entirely through the core H;

A U-shaped, rigid support 48 is secured to casing section 28 by means of screws or the like 50 to extend radially outwardly from the casing 24. A lever 52 is received between the legs of the support 48 to be rockably mounted between its ends on the pivot pin 54. At a point spaced slightly above the pivot connection 5G is a pivot connection 56 between the plunger it and the lever 52. Two cables or the like 58 extend from the opposite ends of the lever 52 for rocking the lever about its pivot 54 which causes reciprocatory movement of the valve 44. Thus, by rotating the lever 52 counterclockwise, the valve M may be drawn to the left so as to open the passage l4.

A locking pin $6 passes transversely through casing section 28 and also through a transverse opening 62 in valve M. On the left end of pin til may be received a nut or the like $3, or some locking arrangement which may be used to pr vent tampering with the mechanism. With this pin in its illustrated position, the valve 44 is locked in closed position preventing communication between the ends of the passage l6. Upon removal of this pin, the valve M may be withdrawn by operating lever 52, and a difierent looking aperture fi l extending transversely'through the plunger 44 may be brought into locked position by passing pin 60 therethrough. In this latter case the valve 44 would be locked in open position.

Another pin 66 received by an axially extending socket in casing section 28, which opens at the top of the casing, cooperates with a slot 63 in plunger M for limiting the extent of reciprocatory movement of the valve.

A typical use to which the present invention may be put is explained as follows. When in the drilling of a well it is decided that the drilling operation is substantially completed, the core 62 is screwed over the end of the protruding casing I0, and the upper section I6 is fitted into the core as shown in Fig. 4. The elbow and valve l9 are removed from the upper pipe section It, and next, the outer casing 24 is mounted on. the core I2.

Next, a charge of nitroglycerine is dropped through the upper pipe Hi, the coupling 12, and into the casing ill. When this charge reaches the bottom of the well, it is exploded, and if a gas pocket or reservoir of oil under pressure is opened, a sudden rush or eruption of a mixture of oil, gas, rocks and other matter will blast out of the casing l0, up through the core 12, and out of the upper casing section 16.

Of course, when this blasting operation is taking place, the valve 44 is in its open position. When the well has fully cleaned itself of rocks and other foreign matter, and substantially pure oil or gas is rushing out, the lower cable 58 of the lever 52 is pulled to force the plunger M inwardly through the valve opening 22 in core l2. This severe the flow of oil and gas from the well, and the well is then set to be capped.

If for some reason during this cleaning operation, or at any other time when oil or gas is flowing out of the pipe it, a fire should occur, the only requirement to extinguish the fire, is to operate the lever 52 at a remote distance from the well to force the plunger 44 inwardly to shut on" the flow. The fire is thus effectively extinguished without the necessity of a worker risking his life to cap the Well, and without the less of anyappreciable quantity of oil or gas.

When all fires have been extinguished, if there has been any, and the well has completely cleaned itself, thenext step is to operate the lever to drive thevalve M inwardly to shut off the flow. The hand valve is is now mounted on the upper end of pipe section It and then closed.

Next, the plunger ts is withdrawn. from the passage M, and the pipe section it is turned downwardly until its end l8 abuts against the upper end of casing H3. The core it now serves as a union or coupling between the two pipe sections, and the casing Zimay be removed therefrom by means of the bolts 35.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent, that by the use of the present invention, flow of oil from the well will be under complete control at all times, and when the capping and pipe fitting operations have been completed, it is seen that a part of the capping device may be effectively utilized as a section of the well structure itself. With this arrangement, the core 52 is expendable and the casing is with its associated valve structure may be used again and again.

As explained previously, the present invention has particularly great and significant importance in the matter of both preserving life and property, and is therefore a meritorious contribution to the art.

What is claimed is:

1. An oil well capping device comprising a cylindrical core having a threaded axial passage therethrough, a transverse opening provided through said core which intersects said passage, an outer casing comprised of two parts which may be detachably secured together and provided with a cylindrical cavity which arranged to embrace snugly said core, threaded openings provided in the opposite ends of said casing in registry with said core passage, a transverse opening provided through one side of said casing and registering with the transverse core opening, the cavity wall of the other side of said casing having a notch which registers with said transverse core opening also, a valve plunger reciprocably received in said transverse openings and said notch, a valve-operating lever pivotally connected to said plunger, a support carried by said casing and rocliably mounting said lever between the ends of the latter, said lever being rockable to reciprocate said plunger into and out of said transverse core opening thereby providing valve control of fluid passing through said core passage, and two operating connections on the ends of said lever whereby the latter may be operated from a remote distance, said core serving as a pipe coupling when said casing is removed therefrom.

2. An oil well capping device comprising a oylindrical core having a threaded passage therethrough, a transverse opening provided through said core which intersects said passage, an outer casing comprised of two parts which may be detachably secured together and provided with a cylindrical cavity which is arrangedto embrace snugly said core, threaded openings provided in the opposite ends of said casing in registry with said core passage, a transverse opening provided through one side of said casing and registering with the transverse core opening, a valve plunger reciprocably received in said transverse openings, a valve-operating lever pivotally, connected to said plunger, a support carried by said casing and rockably mounting said lever between the ends of the latter, said lever being rockable to reciprocate said plunger into and out of said transverse core opening thereby providing valve control of fluid passing through said core passage, and two oper ating connections on the ends of said lever whereby the latter may be operated from a remote distance, said core serving as a pipe coupling when said casing is removed therefrom.

3. An oil well capping device comprising a cylindrical core having a threaded passage therethrough, a transverse opening provided through said core which intersects said passage, an outer casing comprised of two parts which may be detachably secured together and provided With-a cylindrical cavity which is arranged to embrace snugly said core, threaded openings provided in the opposite ends of said casing in registry with said core passage, a transverse opening provided through one side of said casing and registering with the transverse core opening, a valve plunger reciprocably received in said transverse openings, a valve-operating lever pivotally connected to said plunger, a support carried by said casing and rockably mounting said lever between the ends of the latter, said lever being rockable to reciprocate said plunger into and out of said transverse core opening thereby providing valve control of fluid passing through said core passage, and operating means mounted on said lever for operating the latter and said plunger, said core serving as a pipe coupling when said casing is removed therefrom.

4. An oil well capping device comprising a cylindrical core having a threaded axial passage therethrough, a transverse opening provided through said core which intersects said passage, an outer casing for said core and arranged to be separated therefrom, said casing being provided with a cylindrical cavity which is arranged to re inforcingly embrace said core, threaded openings provided in the opposite ends of said casing in registry with said core passage, a transverse opening provided through one side of said casing and registering with the transverse core opening, a valve plunger reciprocably received in said transverse openings, a valve-operating lever pivotally connected to said plunger, a support carried by said casing and rockably mounting said lever between the ends of the latter, said lever being rockable to reciprocate said plunger into and out of said transverse core opening thereby providing valve control of fluid passing through said core passage, and operating means mounted on said lever for operating the latter and said plunger, said core serving as a pipe coupling when said casing is removed therefrom.

5. An oil well capping device comprising a core element having a passage therethrough, an opening provided in said element which intersects said passage, said passage being threaded on both sides of said opening so that a pipe may be threaded through said intersection, a reinforcing casing removably clamped onto said core element and having an opening through the wall thereof which registers with said first-mentioned opening, a valve member reciprocably received by both openings so that communication through said passage may be controlled, an operating lever operatively connected to said valve member, and a support on said casing which rockably supports said lever.

6. An oil well capping device comprising a core element having a passage therethrough, an opening provided in said element which intersects said passage, said passage being threaded on both sides of said opening so that a pipe may be threaded through said intersection, a reinforcing casing removably clamped onto said core element and having an opening through the wall thereof which registers with said first-mentioned opening, a valve member reciprocably received by both openings so that communication through said passage may be controlled, and operating means connected to said valve member for controlling opening and closing of said passage. 7. An oil well capping device comprising a core element having a passage therethrough, an opening provided in said element which intersects said passage, said passage being arranged to receive a pipe through said intersection for severing communication between said opening and said passage, a reinforcing casing removably clamped onto said core element and having an opening through the wall thereof which registers with said first-mentioned opening, a valve member reciprocably received by both openings so that communication through said passage may be controlled, and operating means connected to said valve member for controlling opening and closing of said passage.

. 8. An oil well capping device comprising a core element having a passage therethrough, an opening provided in said element which intersects said passage, said passage being threaded on both sides of said opening so that a pipe may be threaded through said intersection, a reinforcing casing removably clamped onto said core element and having an opening through the wall thereof which registers with said first-mentioned opening, a valve memberreceived by both openings so that communication through said passage may be controlled, an operating lever operatively connected to said valve member, and a support on said casing which rockably supports said lever.

9. An oil well capping device comprising a core element having a passage therethrough, an opening provided in said element which intersects said passage, said passage being threaded on both sides of said opening so that a pipe may be threaded through said intersection, a reinforcing casing removably clamped onto said core element and having an opening through the wall thereof which registers with said first-mentioned opening, a valve member received by both openings so that communication through said passage may be controlled, and operating means connected to said valve member for controlling opening and closing of said passage.

10. An oil well capping device comprising a core element having a passage therethrough, an opening provided in said element which intersects said passage, said passage being arranged to receive a pipe through said intersection for severing communication between said opening and said passage, a reinforcing casing removably clamped onto said core element and having an opening through the wall thereof which registers 7 with, said first-mentioned opening,- a valvemember received by'both-openings so that communication through said passage may be controlled, and operating means connected to said valve member for controlling opening and closing of said passage.

'11. An oil well capping device comprising a core element having a passage therethrough, an opening provided in said element which intersects said passage, said passage being arranged toreceive a pipe through said intersection for severing communication between said opening and said passage, a reinforcing casing removably References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,870,590 Santiago Aug. 9, 1932 1,940,682 Howard Dec. '26, 1933 

